Vols. for 1994-1995 distributed to depository libraries in microfiche.

General Note:

Special "80th anniversary supplement" issue published on Aug. 12, 1994.

General Note:

Special ed. for 65th anniversary of the Panama Canal issued at end of Oct. 1979, is also a joint issue with: The News: authorized unofficial publication of the U.S. Armed Forces, Quarry Heights, Panama, and includes the text of the Panama Canal Act.

By Joaquin Horna
Last fiscal year, on-the-job accidents
resulting in lost workdays for Panama
Canal Commission employees de-
creased by 18.5 percent, demonstrating
that the Canal administration's strong
emphasis on safety is paying off.
The Commission is a leader in en-
forcing safety regulations on the job
site, says Charles Monaghan, chief of
the Safety Division's Safety Programs
unit. He points to the creation of the
Safety and Health Committee two
years ago and the consolidation of the
Safety Division as examples of im-
portant strides made by the agency in
this area.
The Safety Programs unit compiles
statistics and analyzes accidents at the

Panama Canal. Over half of the 600
accidents in fiscal year 1986 involved
employees being struck by or striking
against objects, overexerting them-
selves or falling, with the majority of
these employees suffering traumas,
sprains, lacerations, contusions or frac-
tures. These accidents caused a total
of 3,075 lost workdays compared with
3,777 in fiscal year 1985.
Monaghan says his unit supplies
Commission divisions with periodical
statistical breakdowns of their accidents
and evaluates them annually to gain
insight on working conditions, work
practices and attitudes as they relate to
safety. "The word is out that safety is
not a joke and that if you don't work
safely you may get hurt," he says. "We

want to help division chiefs support
safety and want employees to feel that
such support is real."
This was the first year the Commis-
sion's accident analysis was computer-
ized. A computer acquired by the unit
in June allows for more efficient ana-
lysis of accident-related information,
such as accidents by types of occupa-
tions. For example, it can list all Com-
mission mechanics, or those in one
division, in order to find out what kind
of accidents they experience.
Fiscal year statistics indicate that line
handlers had the highest number of
accidents for both 1985 and 1986. "We
found out that line handlers had a
lot of back injuries and muscle strains,"
Monaghan says. "That indicates that

THE PANAMA CANAL

Spillway .

New tractor tug contract awarded

By Mercedes K. Morris
A new ship-handling tractor-type
tugboat with a propulsion system si-
milar to the H. R. Parfitt will join the
Panama Canal fleet as part of the
Panama Canal Commission's ongoing
program to enhance its floating force
and give the Canal every possible edge
in the maritime industry.
The contract was awarded on No-
vember 5 to Houma Fabricators Inc.
of Houma, La., builders of the Es-
peranza, after the Commission sent
out 72 solicitations and negotiated pro-
posals with several companies. Houma
Fabricators will construct the tug for

$3,493,800 and will be expected to
deliver it by October 30, 1987. The
contract also provides an option to
order an additional tugboat of the
same design.
Owing to the cycloidal propellers of
the Voith-Schneider propulsion sys-
tem, the new tractor tugboat will be
able to thrust in any direction without
changing its heading. The tractor-type
design is well suited to the Canal be-
cause of the maneuverability it adds to
ship-handling in tight areas such as the
locks, Michael Klipper, the chief con-
tracting officer, said. The vessel can
literally spin on its own axis with two
five-blade propulsion units that "look
like egg-beaters." This makes ship-
handling much easier, he explained.

Health and

safety spotlight

Know-how can prevent boarding mishaps

Year-in and year-out, Panama Canal
Commission employees such as board-
ing officers, deckhands and pilots board
and disembark from transiting vessels.
They board from launches that are
under way, in all types of weather, day
and night. Although boarding can be
tricky, especially when a vessel is
moving, judgment, alertness and good
reflexes can prevent accidents and
contribute to success. Basic pilot ladder
know-how is also essential.
Some of the applicable rules from

Take note
The National Symphonic Or-
chestra and the Polyphonic Choir
will present a Christmas concert at
8:30 p.m. on December 16 at the
National Theater. For reservations,
call 63-8175.
The telephone number for the
Balboa branch of the Chase Man-
hattan Bank was changed to 28-
4455 this month.

Panama Canal Commission safety
regulations and published recommen-
dations from the Chevron Shipping
Company are as follows:
Check that a ladder is well secured
to the ship before stepping on it.
If using a Jacob's ladder, or rope
ladder, use a handline to send gear so
that you have both hands free to hold
the ladder.
Grip the rope sides and not the
rungs as they have been known to come
loose.
Do not overload ladders. On a
Jacob's ladder, one person at a time not
only prevents weight strain, it also
maintains the ladder steady. As both
vessels move with wave action, you may
need room to maneuver, and you can't
do it as well with someone above you on
the ladder.
As you descend the ladder, stop
part way down and check the seas.
Watch for the boat's rise, and step onto
it at its peak. When preparing to climb
(Continued on page 3)

The new tugboat will be 95 feet long
with a 34-foot beam and a 17-foot
maximum draft. It incorporates many
special design features considered
unique to the Panama Canal. The
waterway is naturally limited by na-
rrow Canal passages and the concrete
walls of the locks. "Keeping these limi-
tations in mind," Klipper says, "we
must procure the best technology avail-
able to handle maritime traffic."

Air-conditioner
A stock of timer units available at a
Panama Canal Commission storehouse
may cut electricity bills by $100 a year
for PCC housing residents who use air
conditioners. The Electrical Work
Branch has reconditioned the timer
units, adapting them for installation-
free of charge-on 220-volt air condi-
tioners in PCC housing. Installation
will be on a first-come-first-served, time-
available basis.

Each unit has a mechanical clock and
can be pre-set to turn the air conditioner
on, or off, at a specified time. This can
save money for those who leave air
conditioners running while they're away
from home to have a cool house when
they return. For example, an occupant
who works normal office hours could
set the timer to turn off the air
conditioner at 7:30 a.m., switch it back
on before lunch at 11:30, then off again
right after lunch and re-start it at 4 p.m.
for the afternoon and night.

they may be doing som t o t -ng --
either they are position rt' .'
when pulling, not pulling the rigl y
or not getting help from others."Safety
field personnel will be looking closely
at line-handling operations and work-
ing with the Marine Bureau to reduce
this problem.
In 1985, the Safety Division concen-
trated its attention on working condi-
tions, and the Commission's success in
removing hazards from the workplace is
reflected in the improved accident
report statistics. However, only about
20 percent of accidents are caused by
unsafe conditions. The rest are caused
by unsafe work practices-doing some-
thing wrong. So, in 1987, the Safety and
Occupational Health divisions will be
putting more emphasis on how people
do things and focusing on those types of
jobs in which the most accidents or the
severest injuries are occurring.

CFC extended to

December 15
The Combined Federal Campaign
for 1987, which was originally
scheduled to end today, was ex-
tended through December 15. Last
year, Commission employees gave
generously, topping the $80,000 goal
with $102,000 in contributions. This
year, however, the Commission is
still short of its goal of $90,100.
Please don't forget to make your
contribution!

timers cut costs
To justify a timer installation, the air
conditioner must be off for at least six
hours a day. At the PCC rate of
approximately 6 cents per kilowatt-
hour, this can save an average of
approximately $100 per unit per year.
At this rate, each timer pays for itself in
about a year and a half.
Besides substantial savings on elec-
tricity bills for residents, timers will
reduce the demand on the Com-
mission's electrical supply at peak
hours, W. J. Nickisher, Supervisor of
the Electrical Interior Branch and
designer of the plan, explained.
Anybody in PCC housing may
request timer units for their 220-volt air
conditioners, free of charge, if the units
will be off at least six hours a day. The
timers, however, remain the property of
the Panama Canal Commission, and
residents must sign for them before
installation. To make your request, or
for more information, call 52-3675 or
43-5648.

~-rr

Energy saver

William Nickisher,
chief of the
Electrical Interior
Branch, installs a
timer unit on an
air conditioner.

Photo b I
Arthur Pollack I

1L

I II I LI~ I

THE PANAMA CANAL SPILLWAY

Friday, December 5, 1986

Panama's resorts beckon weekenders

By David Constable
In Panama, getting away to enjoy a
long weekend is relatively easy with
island, beach and mountain resorts
never more than a few hours away.
A short distance from Portobelo an
Atlantic-side resort may be found at Isla
Grande. Cabafias Jackson offers 12
cabins, with sleeping accommodations
for 21. Reservations may be made by
calling 41-5656. The Isla Grande hotel
(47-5227 or 47-6944) can accommodate
up to 40 guests in only ten rooms. Both
hotels feature small restaurants and
bars for the convenience of guests.
Other Atlantic resorts include several
in the San Bias islands, accessible by
boat or plane from Paitilla airport.
Information about San Blas resorts
may be obtained through local travel
agents.
Also accessible from Paitilla airport
is the Contadora hotel and casino in the
Perlas islands. The hotel has 150 rooms,
and there is an extra
charge of $10 for
each additional bed.
For information, call
60-3333 or 50-2122. Getting
Somewhat closer
to the mainland is iS t
Taboga island, with
its two hotels: the
Chu and the Ta-
boga, with 26 and
29 rooms, respectively. Information
about the Chu may be obtained by
calling 50-2035. To make reservations at
the Taboga Hotel, call 23-8521.

Farther out in Panama Bay is the ten-
room Club Pacifico de Panamai on
Coiba Island. Its telephone number is
69-6071. The islands Taboga and Coiba
are accessible only by sea, but regular
launch service to Taboga from Pier 18

in Balboa is available for those who
don't own a boat.
Even farther still, in the other
direction, is the Tropic Star Lodge. This
plush fishing resort in Pifias Bay lies off
the coast of Darien and caters to the
wealthy.
On land, along the Interamerican
Highway, there are several beachside
resorts within a few miles of each other.
The Gorgona Jayes Hotel has 22
rooms, a pool and a restaurant, and
offers nightly and weekend rates. Also
featured is a five-day package that
includes transportation and four con-
tinental breakfasts along with several
reasonably priced options. The hotel is
not right on the beach, but transporta-
tion is provided to take guests to the
waterfront. The number to call for
reservations is 23-7775.
Cabinas Rio Mar, Hotel San Carlos
and El Palmar, in the San Carlos area,
are all reasonably priced. Cabinas Rio
Mar (55-4388) has
13 rooms and can
sleep 30. The Hotel
San Carlos (55-
r away 4525) has 14 rooms,
and El Palmar (23-
WSy 7685) has 12 rooms.
Hotel Playa Co-
rona is located a
little farther along
the Pacific coast,
and Hotel Farall6n farther still. The
Corona (55-4432) has ten rooms and
beds for 25. Hotel Farall6n (93-3131),
operated by the Riande enterprise, has
13 rooms that can accommodate 22
guests."
At Santa Clara, vacationers may
enjoy Cabafias Mu Mu, with ten cabins
and accommodations for 40. Gordon
Dalton travel agency, telephone 52-
5132 or 28-2555, is the place to contact
for reservations. Vista Bella, also at

~~ A14:-

Santa Clara, offers three chalets. Call
23-5848 for information.
For a fresher climate, vacationers
may turn off the highway near San
Carlos for a four-mile drive to El Valle
and its golden frogs, square trees and
orchids. Two hotels, the Club Campes-
tre (21-9602) and El Greco (with 23
rooms), offer comfortable accommoda-
tions. To contact Hotel El Greco, call
the Panama city operator and request
El Valle 149.
People with more time on their hands
may take the long drive to the province
of Chiriqui, to enjoy resorts in VolcAn,
Boquete or Cerro Punta. Flights may be
taken from the Torrijos or Paitilla
airports to David, where bus, taxis or
rental cars are available.
At El Volcin, the Dos Rios hotel
offers 16 rooms with accommodations

Tempting
treasures

White sands and
blue waters are
among the
tempting treasures
that await visitors
to Panama's
beach resorts.

for 32 guests. The telephone number is
714271. The new luxury Bambito hotel
(23-5509 or 71-4265) also offers guests a
getaway.
The Fundadores (70-1298), with 31
rooms and 90 beds, and the Panamonte
(70-1327), with 11 rooms and 22 beds,
are located in Boquete.
Bocas del Toro natives boast that
they have the best beaches in Panama, if
not in the whole world. Mini-vaca-
tioners might want to find out for
themselves. Two local airlines, Alas
Chiricanas and Aerolineas Isla de las
Perlas offer daily flights, but advance
reservations are recommended. The
Hotel Botel Tomas (78-8451) and the
Bahia (78-9211) are located at Bocas. In
Changuinola, the Hotel Changuinola
(78-9248) offers rustic accommoda-
tions.

Galapagos slide-show
A slide show on the Audubon
Society's trip to the Galapagos Islands
will be presented at its next meeting,
from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday,
December 11, in Room 204 of the
Panama Canal College.
Holiday jazz
Jazz Unlimited will be presenting a
special Christmas concert at 8 p.m. on
December 10 at the Balboa Theater.
The Felix Wilkins Quintet will be
featured with a program of jazz and
jazz-classic fusion.
Local artist Felix Wilkins, who
studied at Brooklyn College under a
student of world-renowned flutist Jean-
Pierre Rampal, will be performing
selections previously interpreted by
Rampal and Hubert Laws. Other
members of the group are pianist Seth
Rose; contrabass player Roberto F16-
rez, drummer Sonata Walker and
conga player Ricardo Salas.
Tickets are available for $7 at the
Argosy Bookstore, the Amador-Wash-
ington Library and the Balboa Armed
Services YMCA.

Christmas bazaar
Typical handicrafts from Central and
South America will be available during
the annual Christmas bazaar sponsored
by Orchid Chapter No. 1, Order of the
Eastern Star. The bazaar will be held
from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow.
Girls' softball league
Tryouts for the Pacific Senior Girls'
Softball League will be held at 10 a.m.
tomorrow. December 6, and-at 4:30
p.m. on December 9 at the Balboa ball
park complex off Gaillard Highway.
Players must be 14 to 19 years old as of
April I, 1987. They also must be
students at Balboa High, Curundu
Junior High or St. Mary's school or be
dependents of U.S. government agency
employees. For more information, call
Laurie Engelke at 52-2949.
Madrigalian dinner
See the jester and the troubadour
fight it out in "The Jester's Test." a
madrigal-dinner being presented by the
Balboa High School select chorus.
Chris Fuqua and Rolando Linares will
be filling the main roles.
A 15th century English setting will
provide the atmosphere for this special
Christmas dinner at 6:30 p.m. on
Wednesday. December 10. at the Fort
Clayton NCO Club. Tickets are $12,
which includes the meal and entertain-
ment. They are available by calling 52-
7902 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. and
87-5624 after 4.

Karate
Shotokan karate classes for persons
over 6 years of age are offered at the
Balboa Armed Services YMCA from 7
to 9 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and
Friday evenings.
Call 28-1272 or 28-1247 for informa-
tion on these classes.
Atlantic theater
Make plans now to attend the
Atlantic Music and Theatre Office's.
upcoming production of "Boeing.
Boeing." Billed as an adult comedy, the
play may be seen at 8 p.m. on
December I Ithrough 13 and at 7 p.m.
on December 14 at the Loft Theatre.
Reservations can be made by calling 89-
3275 or 89-3704.
BHS play
Balboa High School will present
"Harvey," a comedy in two acts, starting
tonight at the school auditorium. Senior
Heather Pylant is directing the play.
"Harvev" is about a man who has a
six-foot tall rabbit as a friend. The
trouble is that only he can see it. Veta.
the man's sister, tries to get him
committed to a psychiatric institution.
Performances are scheduled for
8 tonight, tomorrow and on December
II through 13. There will also be a
matinee at 2 p.m. on )ecember 6.
Tickets may be purchased at the door.
Prices range from $3 for adults to $2 for
children under 12. For more informa-
tion. call 52-5176.

Atlantic Xmas pageant
The Atlantic Music and Theatre
Office will present an open-air Christ-
mas pageant at 7 p.m. on Friday,
December 19, at the Chapel Hill area
of Fort Davis. Everyone is welcome,
and admission is free. Bring your lawn
chairs or picnic blankets and enjoy the
presentation. Additional information is
available by calling 89-3704.

Academy presentation
A presentation on the programs
offered at the different U.S. service
academies will be held at I p.m. on
December 23 in Room LD)-I of the
Balboa High School Junior ROTC
Building. Representatives of different
academies will be on hand to answer
questions, and light refreshments will be
served.
For more information, call Bob
Weedin at 52-2403.

Dowling despedida
Agents. Accounts Branch Chief
Collecting Agent James Dowling is
retiring, and his co-workers and friends
are preparing a big party for him at
7:30 p.m. on December 29 at the
Meson del Prado restaurant, next to the
-Arrocha drugstore on Ricardo J. Alfaro
(Tumba Muerto). Avenue. The $15
donation includes dinner and the gift
contribution. For more information.
contact Yolanda Ramire/ at 52-3294.

Page 2

Ig
ea

''

Friday. December 5. 1986

THE PANAMA CANAL SPILLWAY

W' ,.61

What we want

for Christmas

SPILWAY staff members are pre-
paring a special edition for our readers i a
for December 19. Because we will be -r s ,
working on a larger issue and the
holiday season tends to be such a busy
time anyway, we would greatly appre-
ciate receiving material for publication
as early as possible, but no later than
noon on Wednesday, December 10.
Those who will have trouble meeting
this deadline with official submissions
should contact the editor in advance at .
52-3202.
Photo by Susan K. Stabler
Linda Asprilla, Gatun Locks clerk-typist, isn't happy about wrecking her car. The
S. reason for the big grin is that, because she was wearing her seat belt, she walked
away from her recent accident without injury. Keep a smile on your own face-be
*I *sure to buckle up.

New round of courses

planned for employees

The Employee and Management Development Branch will offer the following
courses to Panama Canal Commission employees during January. Pacific classes will
meet at Building 0600, Corozo Street, in Balboa Heights, except for"M icrocomputer
Concepts for Beginners," which meets at Building 719-D. The Atlantic-side classes
will be held in Building 206, Gatun. Nominations should be submitted through unit
training program managers by the suspense dates shown. Call 52-4163 for further
assistance.

up the rope ladder, you should also
watch the vessel's rise and fall, stepping
on the ladder at the top of the rise.
Remember that wave heights vary, so
climb up the ladder quickly to prevent
injury in the event the boat takes a
higher rise.
At night or in rain, it is important
to be able to see the deck and ladder;
make sure they are well-lighted, but not
so much that they are blinding. Tell the
vessel operator not to train his light
directly on people descending the
ladder, since it may make it difficult for
them to see the boat.
When using accommodation
ladders, keep one hand free to grip the
handrail. "One hand for the Commis-
sion, one hand for yourself," as the
saying goes in the PCC safety regula-
tions.

-7:15- 9:15 1/6 P

9:45-1 1:45 1 6 P

7:15- 9:15 I 6 A

9:45-11:45 I 6 A
8:00- 4:00 1 6 P

8:00- 4:00
8:00- 4:00
8:00- 4:00
8:00- 4:00

Position Vacancy List
for Panama Canal Commission and other
U.S. government aaencv employees

Supervisory Computer Assistant. NM-10 (Only PCC
employees will be considered) ..... ...... .$24.011.00 Fin. Mgmt. P I
How to Apply: Applications must be submitted to the Employment and Placement Branch.
Building 366. Ancon. or Building 7998. Margarita. on Form 443. Application For Transfer, no
later than seven days from the date of this publication. Qualification standards may be reviewed at
the Panama Canal Commission Technical Resources Center. Further information may be obtained
from the Employment and Placement Branch, telephone 52-3583. 52-7996 or 46-7219.
The Panama Canal Commission is an equal opportunity employer.

THE PANAMA CANAL

Spillway

D. P. McAULIFFE FERNANDO MANFREDO Jr.
Administrator. Panama Canal Commission Deputy Admninistrator
ANEL E. BELIZ WILLIE K. FRIAR
Director of Public Affairs Deputy Director of Public Affairs
FRANKLIN D. CASTRELLON JENNIFER JONES
Press Officer Editor
The SPILLWAY is an official Panama Canal publication. Articles may be reprinted without further permission
by crediting the PANAMA CANAL SPILLWAY as the source. News items should arrive in the Press Office by
noon, Thursday, the week prior to publication. Only urgent, official material will be accepted after the deadline.
Subscriptions for 52 issues are $6 regular mail. $4 regular mail students and S19 airmail. Send check or money
order payable to the Panama Canal Commission to the Office of Public Affairs. APO Miami 34011-5000.

Thirty good years
Personnel Director Ronald L. Seeley, left, shares some of the enjoyable memories
of his career with Panama Canal Commission Administrator D. P. McAuliffe, right
and Deputy Administrator Fernando Manfredo Jr. Seeley was presented with ai
award last week in recognition of his 30 years of service.

The Washington Corner

Changes forthcoming in

congressional committees

The Washington Corner originates in
the Office of the Secretary' in Washing-
ton, D. C. Suggestions should he sent to
the Secretarv, Panama Canal Com-
mission, 2000 L Street NW, Suite 550,
Washington, D.C. 20036 or to the
SPII.I. WA Y editor, Panama Canal Conm-
mission, Room 100. Aldministration
Building, Balboa Heights, Panama.
The 99th Congress has adjourned
and is not expected to reconvene
between now and the end of 1986.
Legislative proposals introduced in the

s
,
n

99th Congress, but not enacted, must
start the legislative process from the
beginning when the 100th Congress
convenes on January 6, 1987. Mem-
bership of congressional committees
having jurisdiction over Panama Canal
affairs will be changed in the 100th
Congress as a result of either the
retirement, the decision to seek other
elective office or defeat at the polls of
members of the 99th Congress. New
committee assignments will be made
sometime this month.

Surveys Branch personnel have monitored the slide carefully and provided up-
to-the-minute information for the Marine Bureau, the Dredging Division and
other Commission units working in the slide area. Hernan Sedda and Felix
Sarlat are seen here awaiting a readout from Victor Valddz.

In response to a major landslide that dumped one-half million cubic yards of
dirt and rock into the Panama Canal at Gold Hill on October 13, the Panama
Canal Commission has undertaken a massive effort to minimize the effects on
Canal users. Because of the combined efforts of a large number of Commission
units, traffic has continued moving through the waterway.
Pictured on this page are some of the ways in which the Commission has
responded to the emergency. Everyone, from the Dredging Division personnel
involved in the actual cleanup, to the extra Locks Division crews called in to
reduce the backlog, to the budget officers who have dealt with the financial,
aspects of the problem, is congratulated on the high level of teamwork and
professionalism that has been shown.
Because of their combined efforts, the transit booking system was reinstated
late last month and, by early this week, the 48-hour backlog was reduced to 20
from a high of 87. The navigable channel, which had been limited to 130 feet.
has now been widened to 250 feet.

Keeping shipping companies all
over the world up to date with the
latest information on the slide has
been the responsibility of the Office
of Executive Planning. Here,
William S. Hinkle, discusses an
outgoing telex with Patricia
Alvarado of the Telecom Message
Center and Henry A. Thousand of
the Mail System. Local shipping
agents have been contacted by
Marine Bureau personnel, and the
Office of Public Affairs has kept the
media and the public informed.

George Berman and Pastora Fran-
ceschi of the Engineering Division
watch the cleanup efforts underway in
the Canal channel.

Maximiliano De Puy of the Engineering Maximiliano De Puy, de la Divisi6n de
Division and Rick Gohde of the Ingenieria, y Rick Gohde, de la Divisi6n
Maintenance Division examine the de Mantenimiento, examinan el de-
aftermath of the slide with L. M. rrumbe junto con L. M. Drennan, de la
Drennan of the Engineering and Con- Direcci6n de Ingenieria y Construc-
struction Bureau. ci6n.

Dredging Division crews have been Cuadrillas de la Divisi6n de Dragado
working with personnel from Great estdn trabajando con personal de la
Lakes International Inc. removing Great Lakes International Inc. en la
some 10,000 cubic yards of dirt and remoci6n diaria de unas 10,000 yards
rock daily. In addition to the "Mogul" cubicas de tierra y roca. Adem6s del
and the "Crest," the two dredges "Mogul" y el "Crest", que son las dos
contracted to help with the cleanup, dragas contratadas, tambien han tra-
the "Cascadas," "Thor" and "Goliath" bajado en el drea del derrumbe las
have all seen duty in the slide area. The dragas "Cascadas", "Thor" y. "Go-
Dredging Division has also provided liath". La Divisi6n de Dragado tambi6n
extra personnel to the Engineering ha facilitado personal adicional a la
Division. Division de Ingenieria.

SA

oat crews have been working
cilitate the movement of ships and
nnel in the slide area. Extra
vided at Commission expense to
ps past the slide.